Welcome to BASE21

By Cho Moon-hee, Chief counselor of The Association for Foreign Workers' Human Rights in Pusan

In this issue, I would like to answer some common questions about the Korean Governments Voluntary Registration Program.

Q1 When I register, should my boss accompany me?
A1 Its not necessary. When the Korean Government first announced the program, it said that, 'your boss should go with you and guarantee you will leave on the day of your booked flight . However, undocumented workers and their employers are against this requirement, and this is one reason for them opposing the entire program. After numerous complaints, the government has dropped this condition, so now undocumented workers can register without their employers.

Q2 I left my training company on March 15 and can I still register?
A2 You cant register because the program doesn't include cases like you. It was announced on March 12 and the government clearly stated that anyone who left his or her training company after the announcement is not eligible for the program.

Q3 When I registered, I didn't write down the company's name because I wasn't working at the time, is this OK?
A3 The government only allows the details of your registration. Its' basic position is that up until March 31, 2003 is a period of preparation for departure, not a work period. If you didn't include the name of your company, it means you cant work until you go back to your country. If you work for any company, you will have 'illegal status', and even though you already registered, then you will be deported if your working is exposed by Immigration.
Another case is where you work for another company, which isnt the company you reported you were with when you registered. In this case, you would also have illegal status. Therefore, if you want to register, please be careful. It isnt possible to make any changes to your registration, so you should carefully consider your company's present condition. That is, whether your boss does pay you on payday, wages are reasonable, your dormitory conditions, etc. If you don't want to work for that company any more, you'd better look for another one that is better before registering.
You also need to check the situation with your return ticket and availability of seats on departing flights because so many people want to go home at the end of March, next year.

Q4 After registering, what would happen if I didn't leave?
A4 You'll probably continue to be considered as an undocumented worker, like now, and the employer you recorded on your registration will have to pay a penalty.